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Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae

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Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) is a bacterium found in the nasal cavity and

sinuses of domestic and wild sheep and goats. It was first detected in the United

States in 1972 and may cause pneumonia in some affected animals.
M. ovi is spread by direct contact with respiratory droplets or secretions, such as

when animals exhale, cough, and sneeze.

Some infected animals may appear clinically healthy while others may experience a

range of illness from mild respiratory disease to severe pneumonia and death.

What To Look For

In domestic sheep and goats:

Lethargy

Fever

Decreased appetite

Coughing, nasal discharge

Decreased milk production in ewes

In wild sheep and goats:

Coughing

Nasal discharge

Ear paresis

Headshaking

Fever, lethargy

Sudden death

How To Prevent This Disease

Biosecurity measures and management practices can be used to reduce

transmission of M. ovi. Here's what you can do to reduce the spread:

Avoid overcrowding.

Ensure adequate ventilation when animals are kept indoors.

Use management strategies that reduce risk factors for respiratory illness. This

can include:

Having a sick pen to separate animals with respiratory signs
Having a quarantine pen for animals that are new to the property or have

just returned from a show or event

Practicing good biosecurity on your farm

How It Is Treated

Currently there are no identified treatments for M. ovi. Antibiotic treatment may help

temporarily, but response may vary, and the bacteria may regrow. If animals show

signs of pneumonia, a broad-spectrum antibiotic and supportive care to ensure

animals are eating and drinking may help.

Report Signs of Animal Disease

Producers or owners who suspect an animal disease should contact their

veterinarian to evaluate the animal or herd. Find an accredited veterinarian.

Animal health professionals (veterinarians; diagnostic laboratories; public health,

zoo, or wildlife personnel; and others) report diagnosed or suspected cases of

nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS District Offices and to the State

animal health official as applicable under State reporting regulations. 

Controlling Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae

Testing

There are a variety of diagnostic tests for M. ovi identification, but there is no official

standard test. Currently available tests have demonstrated some variability between

laboratories and do not meet requirements as outlined in the World Organisation for

Animal Health Manual for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.

These are available tests your local veterinarian might suggest:

Antibody-based tests such as indirect hemagglutination (IH) and competitive

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA)

DNA-based tests like polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
There is no antemortem diagnostic test for M. ovi.

Disease Studies

Domestic Sheep

A 2011 APHIS National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study

(128.92 KB) detected M. ovipneumoniae by PCR test in one or more domestic

sheep on 88.5 percent (401 out of 453) of sheep premises and 29.4 percent

(1,199 out of 4,073) of individual sheep tested.

An unpublished study in Alaska detected M. ovipneumoniae in 57 percent (4 out

of 7) of Alaskan domestic sheep premises and 7.6 percent (13 out of 171) of

domestic sheep.

Domestic Goats

Studies on the prevalence of M. ovipneumoniae in domestic goats differ.

An unpublished study in Alaska detected M. ovipneumoniae in 4 out of 32

domestic goat premises (12 percent) and in 12 out of 485 domestic goats (2.5

percent).

A Washington State study sampled 84 goats from 16 premises and detected M.

ovipneumoniae in 7 out of 16 (44 percent) premises (individual animal results

not reported).

An unpublished study on pack goat premises in 12 States found M.

ovipneumoniae in 14 out of 83 premises (17 percent) and 46 out of 571 of all

goats sampled (8 percent).

The study found a significantly higher prevalence of the bacterium in goats

less than 1 year of age.

An ongoing NAHMS national study will report M. ovipneumoniae prevalence in

U.S. domestic goats.